Action Launcher has been one of our favorite third-party launcher options for Android for a while. The app has long offered excellent functionality, and developer Chris Lacy is always quick to adopt the latest and greatest Android has to offer. Now, with an update to version 35, Action Launcher is picking up some tricks from Android P, and much more…

The best gifts for Android users

The most notable change in Action Launcher’s latest update is the arrival of Android P styling. Specifically, it gives the app drawer “dock” some rounded corners just like we see all over the Android P developer preview, as well as bringing Google’s new search bar and also some adjustments to the transparency. It’s a good look, but it’s also completely optional if you prefer to stick with what you’re used to.

Further, this update delivers a handful of new features to Action Launcher. Many of those focus on the app drawer, with one of the most notable being the addition of folders in the app drawer. This isn’t something Google does itself, but it’s a handy featured cherry-picked from the likes of Samsung and LG. Folders also get a new sorting option as well.

IMPROVEMENT: During an initial import, the app imports layouts from other apps without forcing a restart of Action Launcher.

IMPROVEMENT: General app optimizations.

CHANGE: Changed default app gestures such that: swiping up on the desktop opens All Apps; settings is opened by double-tapping empty space on the desktop.

CHANGE: Simplified dock swipes to open All Apps such that: Swiping up anywhere on the dock now always opens All Apps; to open Covers/Shutters on the dock, swipe downwards on the icon. This behavior can be changed via “Settings -> App drawers -> All Apps -> Swipe dock to open”.

CHANGE: Width of items on All Apps drawer adjusts with the desktop margin setting.

REMOVE: Support for the Lollipop and Marshmallow style All Apps drawers has been depreciated. We never like removing features, but in this case, we’ve made the decision to focus development on the Nougat style full screen All Apps drawer going forward. Doing so allows us to deliver new features such as folders and Pixel Launcher 2 search bar faster and more reliably.